Podiatry EHR Software Buyers Guide
Last updated: September 26, 2023
Podiatry EMR — How to Be Prepared
You're looking after a particular area of the human body. For that, all your equipment and resources need to be specific, too, right? Here's the truth many medical professionals don't realize: This pertains to software also. In the hope of running a modern practice, medical professionals who specialize in niches often make the mistake of merely installing software a colleague mentioned. Or perhaps you're considering a product that has excellent online reviews.
Yes, software programs are designed to automate and help your work faster. It can even help increase profits. But only if what you purchase is relevant to your day to day functioning.
Our advice: Browse through the information below if you want to make sure your new software will benefit your podiatry practice in the long run.
The guide will cover:
- What is a Podiatry EHR software?
- Top Features Loved by Podiatrists
- Benefits of Podiatry EMR
- EHR Solution Tailored to your Podiatry Practice
- Customize your EHR to fit your need
- Critical Considerations of Podiatry EMR Software?
- The Cost of a Podiatry EHR Software
- Which Podiatry EHR vendors should you consider?
- Market Trends to Understand
What is a Podiatry EHR software?
As podiatrists only work with a specific area of the body—the area ranging from the foot to the lower leg—it stands to reason ordinary EHR software has features you'll never use. You won't treat a patient's heart, so charts or information relating to cardiology will be unnecessary—You'll pay for features you'll never use.
As important is the fact that general EHR programs (or those meant for other specialties) won't have the features to help you in your niche—a particular field of medicine.
The good news is that there are many products designed for podiatrists. These features are what you have to look forward to (and this is how you'll identify if it's the program worth investing your money in).
Top Features Loved by Podiatrists
Access to Podiatry sub-specialty Templates
Many Podiatry EHR Software vendors offer multiple charting templates to improve patient care. Podiatrists can easily modify and edit pre-existing templates to suit their workflows or their own.
| Achilles tendon | Capsulitis | Hallux rigidus and hallux limitus |
| Abscesses | Corns | Instability |
| Biopsy | Diabetic shoes | Ingrown toenail |
| Brace: AirLift PTTD | Dermatological exam | Lamisil |
| Brace: Air Walker | Fractures | Musculoskeletal exam |
| Brace: Ankle stirrup | Flatfoot | Mycotic nails |
| Bursa aspiration | Gout | Metatarsalgia |
| Bunions | Hematoma | Nail avulsion |
Real-time Insurance Eligibility
It allows practices to check the insurance eligibility status of patients via iPhone, iPad, or Web.
Order Labs Directly on Web or iPad
Systems designed for podiatry practices are integrated with thousands of diagnostic labs. Users can get order tests from any lab.
Free Draw Capability
These systems include an imagery suite that helps users take and upload photos of affected areas as well as edit them in real-time.
Supplies Billing and DME
Software designed for podiatry practices provides current medical billing codes to ensure a medical practice receives prosthetics, DME, orthotics, and supplies billing assistance.
Medication Management
Users can track a patient's medical history, allergies, medication lists, drug-to-drug interactions instantly on the iPhone or iPad.
HIPAA Compliant Speech-to-Text Documentation
Many systems designed for podiatry practices offer a HIPAA-compliant speech-to-text feature that knows medical speech and recognizes users' accents as they talk to it to automate note-taking.
Fully-integrated Billing and Insurance
Most EMR systems offer a clearinghouse and allow users to improve reimbursements and the turnaround rate on rejected claims.
Benefits of Podiatry EMR
A Podiatry EMR system enables practices to manage their operations from a single system. Some benefits of these systems are mentioned below:
- Podiatry EMR systems help users to digitally record patient details, notes, and other relevant information in a single place. Users easily retrieve information whenever they require it and improve patient care.
- E-prescription is another advantage of these EMR solutions. Medical practitioners can send prescriptions to drug stores electronically. Some Podiatry systems even allow physicians to search pharmacies near the patient's residence and send them orders.
- The Podiatry EMR solution acts as a central database for practice management and EHR. It allows practitioners to manage the entire clinical process of podiatry practice, such as patient registration, appointments, and the billing process.
- An EMR solution assists podiatrist in finding the correct codes after they type the treatment names and disease in the search bar, which works like a Google search.
EHR Solution Tailored to your Podiatry Practice
Many vendors offer features for podiatrists, such as exam findings, care plans, podiatry-specific chief complaints, review of systems, and office procedures to support quick charting. These features can adapt better to a practice's workflow.
Customize your EHR to fit your needs
Most practices can set up an EHR system without spending much of their time, energy, and money. Users can have tailor-fit services and chart in minutes. But all this – just with the right specialty-specific medical software. A specialty-specific system includes adaptive smart charting, fully customizable encounter notes, and a template library to best suit a practice's needs.
An excellent podiatry EMR vendor will:
- Provide continued support throughout the transition and a customized implementation. They will study your current workflows and help you replicate them in your new medical system.
- Many specialty-specific EHR vendors will upload all your data and list of patients into your EHR account. They can even help you with exporting data from your current system.
- Some EHR vendors offer custom online resources such as webinars and live chat. They let you ask for help when you need it and provide other useful resources to help you train on your own.
Critical Considerations of Podiatry EHR Software?
Now that you are ready to adopt an EHR software to streamline the day-to-day operations of your Podiatry practice, it is imperative that you narrow down your selection to match your requirements as a specialty.
Size – Some vendors offer a solution for small practices, while others are best suited to larger ones. EMR systems are designed, keeping in view the number of users, support required, and scalability. Users must keep in mind the size of their practice when looking for medical software.
Certification – You must make sure that the EHR system you are going to get is certified. The certification podiatrists should be considering is by the ONC-Authorized Testing and Certification Body (ONC-ATCB). They ensure that your vendor is HIPAA compliant and meets Meaningful Use objectives.
System Design – Users have to choose between an on-site computer server or cloud-based software. With the latter, your data will be available anywhere via the internet. A practice can choose between these deployment options based on their personal choice and comfort level. Some providers may prefer having the system on their computer server because they feel this way they can adhere to the guidelines of HIPAA. In contrast, others need to access patient files digitally no matter where they are. You'll need to shortlist vendors based on your needs in this department.
We know selecting an EMR solution can be both exhausting and stressful, but with our detailed guide can at least help you choose the right product.
The Cost of a Podiatry EHR Software
It is tough to estimate pricing for specialty EMR systems - the cost varies according to the size, the method of deployment, and the requirements of practice. Here are a few things that will influence the cost
- Cloud-based EMR software usually has smaller initial investment as compared to a server-based EMR solution.
- Specialty EMRs are priced between $100 to $200 more than generic EMR systems.
- The cost of a system increases if you require increased customization or support.
- Data migration and additional training may present an additional cost.
Which Podiatry EMR vendors should you consider?
- TRAKnet EHR Software
TRAKnet is an all-inclusive, podiatry-specific practice management solution that allows users to automate their workflows. Users can choose between on-premise and cloud-based deployments. Key features of this software include eligibility, billing, coding, patient management, and charting. The health IT solution automatically converts ICD-9 codes into ICD-10.
TRAKnet
drChrono is a cloud-based EHR software for clinical documentation, billing, and scheduling appointments, that helps patients to improve the quality of patient care. The EHR System enables podiatrists to utilize modern technology to automate their daily practice operations while increasing patient loyalty and reducing costs.
DrChrono
- SammyEHR
This solution by ICS Software Ltd. is an all-in-one electronic Medical Records (EMR) and Practice Management (PM) package for small to mid-sized practices. Key features of this podiatry-specific solution include electronic prescribing, SamNotes, patient portal, and insurance eligibility. It is flexible enough to adapt to the workflow of podiatry practice.
SammyEHR
Market Trends to Understand
Advanced solutions are gradually filling the EMR market for a specialty-specific solution. We have narrowed down some prevalent market trends in the podiatry EMR market space.
Cloud-Based Services
Cloud-based systems help users access patient's files anywhere over the internet. These systems are preferred by practices and physicians who want to cut down on steep upfront costs for client servers as they can be accessed on any device connected to the internet. According to recent research, only 25% of providers prefer a web-based model, and 50% want to have it as an initial deployment mode that later transitions to cloud-based. It makes complete sense that the adoption of cloud-based systems is increasing significantly as more vendors are transitioning to these systems in response to the changing industry demands.
Telemedicine for Podiatrists
Telemedicine software can play an increasingly important role in podiatry, especially in the treatment of foot and leg ulcers developed due to diabetes. The treatment of such conditions requires several follow up appointments, which can be very costly for patients and the healthcare system. Moreover, as diabetes becomes an increasingly prevalent disease, even in designated rural regions, telemedicine can ensure the provision of care to the affected population.
The above trends can make you aware of the latest advancements in the Podiatry EMR market. They can also help you in selecting the best EMR software among multiple options.
